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What day of the week should I launch a website?

The moment you unveil your new website can have a big impact on its performance in the early days. It’s important to pick the right date to premiere your website, but choosing the right day is not always that straightforward. Here is some advice on how to choose the right date and day of the week to launch your site.

What is the best date?

The first question to ask is whether your business is a seasonal one. Is there a certain time when your target audience will most want to use your products/services? When is that time? For example, it wouldn’t be a great idea to launch your new skiing equipment store right at the end of the ski season, as nobody will be looking for new products at that time. Find out when your audience is likely to be most active online, and aim to put it out then.

What is the best day?

Days of the week, and times of day, make a difference for different audiences, but also for you…

For example, launching a site on a Friday is one of the worst things to do. This is because putting your website online is not going to be a smooth process; you want your web team, client, host, and the domain registrar all to be ready in case issues arise. These negatives hold true for launching your site on a Saturday or a Sunday, especially if your product is designed for a corporate audience. 

Tuesday is one of the best days to launch your site, as it’s likely that your potential clients are browsing online and haven’t yet been bogged down in so much work that they don’t have time to look at your site. Choosing Tuesday means that not only do you have Monday to properly prepare your team and tease out any loose ends when your brains are fresh, it also gives you the rest of the week to work with your team to deal with potential bug fixes or other problems as and when they arise.

The right day could be completely different for a different company though; make sure you know when your target audience is most online so that you can identify the best day and time to reach them with a new website. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but with the right work and attention to general trends and statistics, you can get an idea of what day might work best for you.

Be prepared and plan ahead

It is always a good idea to plan ahead to ensure a successful website launch. And, once your website goes live there is a whole new list of things you need to prepare for. For example, you need to plan who you are going to tell about the launch and what platforms to use on social media. Influencers and news sources that speak to your target audience are important too. You’ll also need to set aside some time to respond to people when they have queries about your business.

There are no real shortcuts when it comes to making a success of your website launch. You will need to do the research and plan accordingly to see the best results. You know your business, and this empowers you to understand who your target audience is. If you’re unsure, by downloading our free ‘A beginners guide to buyer personas’ will help you learn more about them, find out their habits, and launch your website at a time that they will be receptive to it.

Having a website is crucial for every business. If you haven’t created yours yet, why don’t you check out Go Sitebuilder? Create your website from anywhere without the need for any technical skills. Try Go Sitebuilder free for 14-days to see just how easy it is to get your business online.

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How can I make my website look more professional?

Working woman on laptop trying to make her website look more professional with her son reading a storybook. Both sitting on a grey sofa in a living room.

Although you might think you have relatively good concentration, on the internet this is likely to be a lot shorter: the average attention span is around eight seconds. This means that you have a limited amount of time to make an impression on the site user: if your online business looks unprofessional and visually unaesthetic, then most people are likely to click off your website, without really looking at the content you offer. A professional web design ensures that the traffic flow to your website will want to remain, exploring what else you have to offer. With a strong web design, it is easy to make your online business appear all the more professional. 

Image is everything 

Having a visually appealing web design is paramount if you want to draw potential customers to your site. Although it is tempting to cram your website with anything that you feel would be of benefit to your users, in the website world, less is more. Google conducted a huge study, revealing that visitors are put off by visual complexity: by keeping your website design minimal, you can create a sleek, attractive appearance, which draws visitors to other parts of your website. 

This also shows to visitors that your business is professional: you have taken the time to ensure your web design is of a high quality, which tells the visitor that you’re not an amateur, and that you can be trusted. 

Using images is also a great way to add to your professional image. Uploading photos onto a photo gallery really helps people get a good idea as to what you can offer them – they should be well lit, and of high quality to maintain a standard of professionalism. 

For example, if you’ve got a website for your restaurant then posting images of your food can really draw people in: by physically seeing the high-quality delights you offer, they are more likely to want to come and dine in your establishment. Or, if you’re a corporate business, posting images of your employees within your firm, or any events you’ve attended adds a personal touch to your online business. 

Optimise your website for speed and compatibility

Having a site which is optimised for internet use is essential. Having a poorly optimised site can really put a visitor off your website, prompting them to click off almost immediately. According to Kissmetrics, 47% of customers expected a website to load within 2 seconds; most of us expect a fast website, and if we feel a website is too slow, this can prompt us to look elsewhere. 

This also weighs heavily on your SEO – search engine optimisation – ranking. If Google sees that your website has a high bounce rate (in other words, it notices a lot of people clicking off your website quickly), then it is more likely to index you lower on its search engine results, meaning that your website has poor online visibility. 

By optimising your website so that it loads quickly, people are more likely to stay on your site for longer, which tells Google that your website is a reliable website, and that it should be ranked higher on search engine results. 

It’s also important that your site can be accessed both on computer and mobile devices. Considering that BrightEdge have reported that 57% of traffic is from smartphones and tablets, it is key that your website can be easily used, no matter how it is accessed.. Indeed, it would be damaging if over half of the potential visitors to your site couldn’t see what you have to offer because you haven’t optimised your site effectively. 

Don’t overlook social media 

Social media is an invaluable source to use to add another edge of professionalism. By linking social media with your website, you can create a link between the two, enabling site users to follow your social media accounts, meaning that they stay updated over the latest news and offers that your business has to offer. 

With social media you can also get creative: holding a live stream on Facebook or Instagram is a great way to generate interest around your business. Considering that Forbes have reported that people spend up to three times longer watching a video which is live, rather than pre-recorded, live streaming is a great way to market yourself. Whether you’re sharing your expertise on the latest bit of news, or demonstrating how to use a product that you sell, live streaming can add a unique, individual edge to your business. 

Of course, Facebook or Twitter is also a great tool to use if you want to post quick updates on the go, or encourage people to ask you questions. The success of Old Spice after they started up a video response to questions is a sterling example of how social media can open up endless doors: within one week of the response campaign, the number of views on their Youtube channel went up to 40 million, and by the end of the year sales were up by 125%.

Whilst it might seem difficult to know where to start when building your site, Go Sitebuilder is a great option for those who are daunted by the prospect. We offer ready to go professional web designs, which can be fully customised to your liking, and optimises your website so that it can be accessed on any device. An incredibly easy-to-use site builder, which gives you all the flexibility you could need with our 14-day free trial.

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What are the best free tools available for web design?

Female sat at a coffee shop high table using her laptop to update her Go Sitebuilder website. She is wearing a sleeveless white blouse and has curly hair

Why is web design important?

In the modern age, it is vital to have a website with high-quality design. Shoddy web design will no longer cut it with users: according to Stanford’s Web Credibility Research report, 75% of us will judge a business’ credibility based on their web design alone. It is also important to have an original and unique design: there is an endless number of online websites, and thus standing out from the crowd is a great way to distinguish yourself from others.

Can I design my own website?

Yes! Whilst you may believe that you need to be a whiz at coding or a professional web designer, this is simply a misconception. The brilliant thing about the internet is that there are lots of free tools out there to help you craft your website into your envisaged design. 

Furthermore, your site doesn’t have to have an intricate and complicated design to blossom. In fact, the Interaction Design Federation has written about the importance of Hick’s Law in web development. The idea of Hick’s Law is that if you present your users with a lower amount of choices then they reach a decision about your website faster. In other words, when it comes to web design, simplicity is key. 

Where do I start?

When creating a website for your online business it is crucial to nail the design of the main aspects of the site. Logaster is a good resource to use when creating your logo. If you want a bit of inspiration for a new colour scheme then Coolors is a handy tool as it comes up with a new colour scheme every time you refresh the page. Vector icons are also a great way to add a personal touch to your website: we suggest Flaticon, the world’s largest search base for free icons, all created by graphic designers.  

Is there an easier alternative?

If you still feel daunted at the prospect of designing your own website then Go Sitebuilder has you covered. Its knowledge and expertise in this field means there couldn’t be a simpler way to build a website for your online business. It has a whole range of customisable ready to go web designs, providing you with the right materials to design your website. Their 14-day free trial allows you to test this for yourself – why not try it today?

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How Can I Make My Website More Visually Appealing

Relaxed, female small business owner designing her website at home

Just as you wouldn’t want to go into a shop filled with clutter, or dine in a restaurant with dirty dishes and glasses littered all over the table, visitors to your site won’t want to stay for very long if your website looks visually unappealing – regardless of what you have to offer. 

Considering that the Stanford Persuasive Technology Lab has reported that 46% of site visitors state that a website’s design is the deciding factor in the credibility of the company, having a strong web design is paramount. 

However, you don’t need to be a top-notch graphic designer to create an aesthetic and visually appealing website. Nowadays there are many great website builders out there for you to use, which offer ready to go websites for a minimal fee. Go Sitebuilder is a superb website builder to use if you want to give your website the best chance and by following our simple tips, you can create a stunning, sleek website which will wow visitors and most importantly keep them on your site.

Design and colour 

Whether rebuilding your website or simply revamping your current style, it’s important to match your colour scheme with the service that you’re offering. Whilst this sounds slightly abstract, colour actually plays an important part in evoking certain feelings when people visit your site. 

Say, for example, you’re offering your yoga services online: pale, delicate colours are likely to inspire calming feelings within the site user. Or if your online business is more corporate, then it might be wise to use sleek, strong colours, demonstrating that you’re serious about providing a quality service to the user. 

Whilst it is important to have good content, this must be displayed clearly so that visitors to your site want to click onto different pages. By having a visually appealing design and colour scheme, you can capture your audience’s attention and draw them to the things you want them to see. According to 3M, we process visuals 60,000 times faster than text: a website with a clean layout will help you get your message across swiftly to the site user.  

Pictures and graphics 

The cliché ‘a picture paints a thousand words’ is a cliché for reason, and in the world of web design, it couldn’t ring truer. Considering that most people click off a website after 15 seconds, using images is a great way to capture their interest, ensuring that they want to stay on and explore the services that you offer. By using images and infographics that show what you can do for the site user, you are visually advertising your skills, rather than just describing what you do in a few sentences. 

The type of imagery that you want to use is completely your choice: you could decide to upload stock photos for a professional finish, or post your own images to add some individuality to your site. Modern technology means that you don’t even need a professional photographer to share your own pictures – most smartphones have a quality camera, meaning you can snap images that you feel might add to the overall design of your website anywhere, and at any time. For infographics, sites like Canva and Venngage offer free templates that you can personalise to your company’s services. 

Usability 

It’s key for people to be able to easily navigate their way around your website, and find all the important information that they need to know without any hassle. You can achieve this easily: make sure your headers are clear, your contact details are well labelled, your logo is strong, and you’ve written a concise but informational piece about your services. Also, any images that you upload must be well placed to compliment the visuals of your website. 

Although it seems like a lot needs to go on the homepage of your website, it is vital that your layout isn’t cluttered – according to Network for Good, a not-for-profit organisation, a website “Must be attractive, captivating, but uncluttered”. With web design, less is definitely more: not only does a clear finish add to the visuals of your website, but it also ensures that your website is easy to use, and visitors can take in everything they need to know within minutes. 

Where to start 

Don’t let designing a website daunt you: at Go Sitebuilder we offer stunning web designs, which you can easily tweak to achieve a look unique to your business. Our website builder is incredibly easy to use, as you can make changes to your website anywhere, and on any device, making it one of the best website builders within the UK. Our 14-day free trial gives you all the flexibility you need to create the perfect website for you. 

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How to edit the images you use for your website

Caucasian male with a long beard is sat at a desk in front of a laptop editing photos with camera equipment surrounding the laptop

The visual aspect of website design can attract or turn away visitors, therefore when creating your website it is important to choose images that create an impact and relate to your brand.  Rather than just focusing on the content of the images, however, it’s vital to make sure that you take into account other aspects, such as file type and quality to really highlight your website and make it stand out from your competitors. Here are some considerations we think are really important to take into account to make your website leave a lasting impression.

Think about the quality of your images 

The quality of your images can significantly impact the way customers view your website and your brand. High-quality images imply a professional service and instil more trust in your brand for customers than images of low quality. The best ways to achieve high-quality images is either by taking them yourself (see our article on How to Take Great Product Photos) or by using stock images to ensure the quality is high. 

Know the type of file you need to use

When adding images to your website it is important to know the type of file you need to use, generally, this is a choice between a PNG file and a JPG/JPEG file. A PNG file is a larger file, which creates higher quality images than a JPG but can slow your site speed down if used for every image. A JPG file, however, is used more frequently as the file size is smaller; the only compromise is that its image quality is slightly lessened. 

Think about composition  

A good website will have images which engage the visitor and mean something to the brand or subject matter. Therefore the composition (how the image is ‘staged’ and shown to the viewer) should be taken into account when selecting your final images. A simple crop can change the focus of an image and make it more relevant when building your website. The built-in image editor on Go Sitebuilder is a perfect addition when cropping your images as you can visualise how small changes can impact how the image is shown on your website.

Aspects such as colours, filters and stickers

Depending on your brand image, aspects such as colours, filters and stickers can portray the personality of your brand. For example, a travel website may benefit from brightly coloured images to show locations in the best light, whereas a beauty website may have more use for filters.

If you are looking to build a website for your company, then look no further than Go Sitebuilder! Our simple design means you can have a professional-looking website up and running in minutes, and we even have an image editor incorporated in our software. Try our 14-day free trial today!

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The best tools or websites to create images with text

A male photographer wearing a loose, casual white shirt is stood at a desktop computer editing images whilst a photoshoot is going on in the background

Often an image can portray everything you want to show for your brand, a concise way to represent an idea or a product. With high levels of competition for views on your website it is important to have features that stand out and may be different from other brands similar to yours. 

The technique of combining your images with text can create impactful designs which pull visitors into your website or catch their eye on Instagram. According to GraphicMama, bolod typography and text masking are going to be some of the hottest graphic design trends of 2020. In this article, we will show you the best tools to use when adding text to your images.

The Most User-Friendly: Canva

Canva is a website and an app that allows users to use their own images (as well as canva’s own images) and layer text on top of those images. There is a wide variety of fonts, styles and layouts, allowing a full scope image types. The basic version of Canva is also free, allowing you to try out your design talents before paying. 

The Widest Range of Features: Adobe Photoshop

One of the biggest names in the photo editing business, Photoshop can do it all – at a price. If your website is focused heavily on image quality or maybe you run a photography business and you are familiar with the software this may be for you. With a range of features, including layering text over images, Photoshop is a great tool. However, for most websites, it may be an unnecessary cost considering the other options available. 

For the Aspiring Influencers: BeFunky

BeFunky is an online photo editing tool that allows you to add text to images, and now has a super simple text and image masking tool. This is where you don’t choose a font for your colour; instead, you choose an image. One of 2020’s new graphic design crazes, this technique adds texture to your designs, is perfect for social media campaigns and ensures that you are bang on-trend.

If you are looking to build a website for your company, then look no further than Go Sitebuilder. Our simple design means you can have a professional-looking website up and running in minutes, and we even have an image editor incorporated in our easy to use platform. Try our 14-day free trial today!

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Do I need to know Photoshop to build a website?

Female's hands resting on the edge of a desk editing images for her Go Sitebuilder website. A coffee is also on the desk

You’re probably aware that Adobe Photoshop is commonly used to touch up pictures of celebs in magazines or selfies for social media. However, Photoshop isn’t just a tool for vanity, it can also play a role in building your website’s design. Photoshop is a graphics editor, and it can also be used to optimise images and construct page layouts.

However, Adobe Photoshop is both an expensive tool and a daunting prospect if you’re new to editing images. Best of all – you don’t need it! A successful website can be created without Photoshop. Read on to discover how!

Photoshop is used for complex website developing tasks

Photoshop is used by web developers for a variety of reasons. They can use it to create a mock-up of a web design so that they can send PDFs to their clients for approval, or to integrate different ideas into one design. You can create a beautiful website design in Photoshop, but it is complicated, time-consuming and difficult to export if you’re inexperienced. 

Even now, Photoshop for professional web development is falling by the wayside as modern website design and creation is written directly in code. 

There are easier ways to edit your images

Photoshop is mainly used to edit photos, and it’s no secret that good images are paramount when they are to be used on your website. If you’re worried about your pictures not standing out, worry not – nowadays, there are much easier ways to edit your photos; countless apps offer similar services to Photoshop.

Online photo editors such as Fotor and Canva are a great alternative to Photoshop, and you can also download free image editing software to be able to edit offline. Another huge plus is that they are completely free, whereas Photoshop comes with a fairly steep price tag. 

There are website builders that already have the answers

If you want to build a website but don’t think you’ve got the technical know-how – we’ve got you covered! Go Sitebuilder has ready to go, customisable websites at your fingertips. Don’t let a lack of Photoshop or coding knowledge put you off building an online business – Go Sitebuilder also has an image editor to help you build the best website. Our 14-day free trial gives you all the freedom needed to create the perfect online business.

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How do I create a photo gallery for my website

Female photographer sat at a desk with a laptop and image prints and a camera

Why do I need a photo gallery?

Having a photo gallery is an important visual stimulator when viewing a website. It adds colour and vibrancy to a website, meaning viewers are more likely to explore different sections of your site. In addition to this, a photo gallery adds a personal touch to your website: your online business becomes less robotic and more relatable. This is vital if you want to build a relationship between your site and the customer. The beauty of a photo gallery is that it is completely personal and customisable, enabling you to build your website in your own image. 

What tools can I use to create a photo gallery?

It is super simple to build a photo gallery. Juicebox is a great place to start for beginners: no coding skills are required and its simplicity means you can create HTML5 image galleries with ease. It is adaptable, as it can be accessed either on your computer or via mobile. Another huge plus with Juicebox is that it is free! 

Gallery Studio 1.1 is an alternative free option: its software leaves no watermarks on your images, ensuring your gallery remains personal to you.

Photo Gallery Builder 1.4 is another helpful tool if you want to create a photo gallery for your website. It requires no prior knowledge of Adobe Flash and its modern interface will leave your gallery looking professional and sophisticated. 

What next?

As you’re probably now aware, having a photo gallery for your website is of high importance. Condensing all your images into one folder means viewers of your site can access your pictures with ease. 

However, if you’re still unsure about how to create a photo gallery for your website then Go Sitebuilder is a fantastic solution. Our website builder is easy to use, and has ready to go tools within our editor to help you create the perfect photo gallery for your website – no need to use external software!

Alternatively, if you already have a collection of photos but don’t know what to do with it, then Go Sitebuilder is one of the best online site builders. Its simplicity ensures you can upload your images hassle-free and our free 14 day trial period gives you all the freedom to build your online business today!

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Can I host my own website?

Young female sitting on a mattress in a trendy bedroom on her laptop and listening to music through headphones

Hosting your own website is possible. It can be quite an entertaining and rewarding experience, but it’s definitely not for everyone.  All you need is a Windows or Linux machine, and you can upload some HTML files to a folder and host them on the internet all by yourself! 

Now, if all of that already sounds a bit too complicated – you have absolutely nothing to worry about. There are some alternatives and professionals who have taken care of all of this for you already! At Go Sitebuilder, you can easily design, host and launch a professional website without any of the hassle.

Getting everything right

To host your own website, you’ll need a server. A server is a machine that stores data and sends it out to the internet, allowing your site to be accessed from anywhere in the world. That is what web hosting is, in a nutshell. 

It can take a very long time to get everything set up correctly but have no fear – here at Go Sitebuilder we’ve already taken care of all of that for you. 

For a small business owner, or someone trying to get their website running and performing at exceptional quality, it’s always a good idea to go with a professional and experienced hosting service. You won’t ever have to worry about accidentally flipping off the wrong switch or randomly having the whole shut website down! And, the best part is, it’s super simple to do and can be up and running in no time.

Energy and Efficiency

To host a website, you’ll need your server working 24/7. All-day and all night this little guy will be sending and storing data – forever. For anyone to see this data (your website), you’ll need to have some energy running to it. This can be a great way to run up a huge energy bill! 

Unless you can invest in a powerful server and the necessary connections to back it up, the only reason to host your own website is for fun.

The smart choice

A great and trusted option is to build your website and get it live in no time at all with Go Sitebuilder. We make it easy to design and launch a professional-looking website with all the functionality you need to make it work for you. The hosting is handled at our end and included in your subscription fee, and you have access to powerful tools to help market your website and make it into a powerhouse for your business. Get started today, and you’ll be ready to launch in no time.

If you haven’t got your own website up and running yet, what are you waiting for? With Go Sitebuilder, you can have an ecommerce site online in just a few hours, with no experience needed. Try them out now with a 14-day free trial.

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How can I sell things fast?

How can I sell things fast?

Creating a successful ecommerce brand revolves around building trust and a loyal following, which doesn’t happen overnight. But if you do need to sell things quickly, we’ve put together a few tips to help you get your products off your hands! 

Price it right

First, look at products that are similar to yours on online marketplaces. On Ebay, you can refer to the “completed listings” section, which shows you what products have sold and how much they cost. This can help you evaluate both the demand for the product and the standard price. 

If speed is your priority, list the item for slightly less than other similar products, but be willing to negotiate, especially if you’re selling on an online marketplace. Everybody loves to get a good deal, so prepare to sell your product for 10-20% lower than the price you listed it. If you’re using your own ecommerce site, consider offering discount codes or having a sale section.

Description and pictures

When writing the copy for your product, think about what you would want to know if you were buying this item. If it’s second-hand, make sure to include what condition it is in and why you’re selling it, and as for any other product, include detailed specifications, any special features that will help it stand out, and what accessories come with the product. 

The pictures of the item can make or break a sale. Make sure they are clear and taken in good lighting, and if there are any issues, take a close up of these as well. This helps build trust and gives the customer a good idea of what they’re buying, whereas limited and poor-quality pictures make the product look worse than it is and suggest you might be hiding something. 

Sell more than one product at a time

If you really need to get rid of some stock, you can sell your products in ready-made packs that will encourage your potential customer to buy more than the one product they originally wanted.

Selling items quickly isn’t always easy, but if you follow these steps then you can give yourself a good chance to speed up sales on your products! If you want to try out some of these tips on your own website, check out Go Sitebuilder’s 14-day free trial and have a look at all of the extra features they offer for ecommerce sites.